Coaster wagon



Feb. 6, 1934. A E; CARTE 1,946,422

COASTER WAGON Filed June 9, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l Invenior fl Home y A. E. CARTER COASTER WAGON Feb 6, 1934.

Filed June 9, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. E. CARTER Feb. 6, 1934.

COASTER WAGON Filed June 9, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 m \ww In M 4 i 4 RNu flay v l -1 n I O \0 w Q ll|l|nh N i Q xx. i .T In

A. E. CARTER COASTER WAGON Feb. 6, 1934.

Filed June 9, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenior .Elzfer 1/ Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in coaster wagons for children and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a wagon of this character embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which manual propulsion is greatly facilitated.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a wagon of the aforementioned character embodying a body of such construction that the capacity of said body may be conveniently increased when desired.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a wagon of the character described embodying novel brake operating means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a coaster wagon which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable, light in weight,

compact and which low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a coaster wagon constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in bottom plan thereof.

Figure 3 is a View in vertical longitudinal section through the wagon.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a View in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a detail view in side elevation of one of the hinges for the swinging bottom section of the body.

Figure 8 is a detail view in perspective of the swinging closure which is provided for the end gate receiving opening in the body.

Figure 9 is a detail View in perspective of the spring which closes the closure shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view in vertical section through one of the rear axles, showing, in side elevation, one of the brakes.

may be manufactured at Figure 11 is a detail view in perspective of the swinging body section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially Y-shaped tubular frame which is designated generally by the reference numeral 1,- said frame including a stem 2 and angular arms 3. The rear portions of the arms 3 are curved downwardly, as at 4, and terminate in inturned, horizontal end portions 5. The stem 2 terminates in a downturned forward end portion 6 which rotatably receives the king pin 7 of a horizontally swinging front axle unit which is designated generally by the reference numeral 8. The ref- 0 erence numeral 9 designates the front Wheels of the wagon which are journaled on the axle 8. Projecting outwardly from the downwardly curved portions 4 of the arms 3 are stub axles 10 on which the rear wheels 11 are journaled. Fixed 6 on the inner sides of the rear wheels 11 are peripherally grooved or channeled brake drums l2. Brakes 13 are pivotally mounted, at an intermediate point, on the downwardly curved portions 4 of the arms 3 for operative engagement 50 with the drums 12, said brakes 13 being yieldingly urged at all times toward inoperative position by coil springs 14.

Securely mounted on the frame 1 is a body which is designated generally by the reference numeral 15. The body 15 includes a fixed bottom 16 from which side boards 1'7 and a front board 18 rise. The side boards 17 extend rearwardly beyond the fixed bottom section 16 and have hingedly mounted therebetween immediately adjacent the rear end of said fixed bottom section 16, as at 19, a swinging bottom section 20. An end gate 21 is fixed on one side of the swinging bottom section 20 adjacent the free end thereof and a similar end gate 22 is fixed on the other side of said swinging bottom section 20 adjacent the hinged end thereof. A substantially U- shaped, fiat metallic plate 23 is interposed between the fixed bottom section 16 and the forward portions of the arms 3 of the frame 1.

Secured beneath the rear end portions of the side boards 17 of the body are inwardly projecting plates 24 upon which the swinging bottom section 20 rests when in extended or operative position. The plates 24 also constitute knee rests 105 upon which the operator may place one knee while propelling the vehicle with his other foot when the swinging bottom section 20 is in inoperative position, as suggested in broken lines in Figure 3 of the drawings. The forward portion of the fixed bottom section 16 has formed therein a transverse slot for the reception of the end gate 21 when the swinging bottom section 20 is in inoperative or folded position. Pivotally mounted in the slot 25 is a closure 26, said closure 26 including trunnio-ns 27 on its ends which are journalled in the side boards 17. The closure 26 is yieldingly maintained in closed position by a spring 23 which is mounted on the fixed bottom section 16, said spring 28 including an upturned free end portion 29 which projects into the slot 25 for engagement with the closure. The reference numeral 52 designates a bolster which is mounted beneath the fixed bottom section 16, said bolster having a recess therein in which the stem 2 of the frame 1 is seated.

Fixed on the inturned end portions 5 of the frame arms 3 are steps 30 upon which the operator may place either or both feet, said steps including rubber pads 31. Braces 32 extend between the forward portions of the steps 30 and the plates 24 and braces 33 extend between the rear end portions of said plates 24 and the downwardly curved portions 4 of the arms 3. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 10 of the drawings, the brake springs 14 are connected, at one end, to the plates 24.

Fixedly centrally on the front axle 8 is a tubular horn 34 having an opening 35 in the lower side of its rear portion. Mounted on the upper end portion of the horn 34 is a yoke 36 in which a shaft 37 is mounted. Journaled on the shaft 37 is a drum 38 having an integral beveled gear 7 z 39 on one end. Mounted for swinging movement 85 on the end portions of the shaft 37 and straddling the yoke 36 is a yoke 40 having a shaft 41 journaled in its shank or stem portion. A comparatively small beveled gear 42 is fixed on one end portion of the shaft 41 in mesh with the gear 39. Fixed on the other end portion of the shaft 41 is a tongue 43 having a handle 44 on its free end. It will thus be seen that the tongue 43 is mounted in a manner to permit swinging movement in a vertical plane but to impart swinging movement in ahorizontal plane to the front axle 8 when said tongue 43 is swung laterally.

Journaled in suitable bearings 45 beneath the rear portion of the fixed bottom section 16 is a rocker shaft 46 which terminates in downturned arms 47. Rods 48 connect the brakes 13 to the arms 47. Fixed on an intermediate portion of the shaft 46 is an arm 49 to which one end of a suitable cable 50 is connected. The cable 50 passes through the horn 34 and has its other end connected to the drum 38 for winding thereon. As clearly seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, the cable 50 enters the horn 34 through the opening 35.

Briefiy, the wagon may be used in the following manner: When the swinging bottom section 20 is in folded position, as seen in broken lines in Figure 3 of the drawings, the operator may place one knee on one of the plates 24 and, while gripping the side boards 17 with the hands, propel the vehicle with his free foot. When it is desired to coast, as when sufficient speed has been attained, or when travelling down grade, the operator may stand on the steps 30. When the swinging bottom section 20 is in folded position, the gate 22'constitutes the rear wall of the body 15 andwhen in unfolded position, the gate 21 constitutes the rear wall of said body, as will be apparent. It will thus be seen that the capacity ofthe body may be materially increased when desired.

The wagon is steered by swinging the tongue 43 laterally, as will also be apparent. To apply the brakes 13, the tongue 43 is rotated to actuate the drum 38 in a manner to wind the cable 50 thereon, thus actuating the rocker shaft 46 in a direction to swing said brakes 13 through the medium of the rods 48 against the tension of the springs 14. Of course, to release the brakes 13, the tongue 43 is rotated in the opposite direction to unwind the cable 50 from the drum 38 and permit the springs 14 to function. The reference numeral 51 designates a handle on the free end portion of the swinging bottom section 20.

It is believed that the many advantages of a wagon constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A wagon comprising a wheel supported body, said body including a fixed bottom section, side 10o boards rising from the fixed bottom section and projecting rearwardly therebeyond, a foldable bottom section hingedly mounted adjacent the rear end of the fixed bottom section and operable 1 between the side boards, an end gate mounted on one side of the foldable bottom section adjacent the free end thereof, and an end gate mounted on the foldable bottom section on the other side thereof and adjacent the hinged end of said foldfiable bottom section, the fixed bottom section having an opening therein for the reception of the first named end gate.

2. A wagon comprising a wheel supported body, said body including a fixed bottom section, side boards rising from the fixed bottom section and projecting rearwardly therebeyond, a foldable bottom section hingedly mounted between the side boards adjacent the rear end of the fixed bottom section and operable between said side no boards, an end gate fixed on one side of the foldable bottom section adjacent the free end thereof, an end gate fixed on the other side of the foldable bottom section adjacent the hinged end thereof, the fixed bottom section having an opening 25 therein for the reception of the first-named end gate when the foldable bottom section is in inoperative position, and a closure for the opening.

3. A wagon comprising a frame including a i stem portion and further including angular arms 131 on one end of said stem portion, said arms comprising downturned portions terminating in inwardly directed free end portions, steps mounted on the inwardly turned free end portions of the arms, wheels mounted on the downturned portions of the arms, the stem including a downturned end portion, an axle mounted for swinging movement on the lower end of the stem, wheels journaled on the axle, a body mounted on the frame, said body including a fixed bottom section, side boards rising from the fixed bottom section and projecting rearwardly therebeyond, a foldable bottom section hingedly mounted at the rear end of the fixed bottom section and operable between the side boards, and plates on the rear- 45 wardly projecting portions of the side boards for supporting the foldable bottom section in operative position, said plates constituting knee rests for an operator when the foldable bottom section is in inoperative position.

4. A wagon comprising a frame including a stem portion and further including angular arms on one end of said stem portion, said arms comprising downturned portions terminating in inwardly directed free end portions, steps mounted on the inwardly turned free end portions of the arms, wheels mounted on the downturned portions of the arms, the stem including a down turned end portion, an axle mounted for swinging movement on the lower end of the stem, wheels journaled on the axle, a body mounted on the frame, said body including a fixed bottom section, side boards rising from the fixed bottom section and projecting rearwardly therebeyond, a foldable bottom section hingedly mounted at the rear end of the fixed bottom section and operable between the side boards, and plates on the rearwardly projecting portions of the side boards for supporting the foldable bottom section in operative position, said plates constituting knee rests for an operator when the foldable bottom section is in inoperative position, said foldable bottom section comprising an end gate mounted on one side thereof adjacent its free end, an end gate mounted on its other side adjacent the hinged end thereof, the fixed bottom section having an opening therein for the reception of the first-named end gate when the foldable bottom section is in inoperative position.

AMOS E. CARTER. 

